Developing an investment case for strengthening the social service workforce for child protection
Insights from UNICEF’s policy brief and synthesis report on building and financing a stronger workforce for Child Protection in Eastern and Southern Africa
Highlights
A strong social service workforce (SSW) is the backbone of effective child protection systems. Across Eastern and Southern Africa, social service workers play a critical role in preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. Yet, the workforce remains underfunded and understaffed, limiting its ability to deliver essential services.
To address this gap, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) has developed two key resources:
- A Policy Brief summarizing the rationale and approach for building an investment case for strengthening the SSW.
- A Synthesis Report providing a detailed guide to developing an investment case, drawing on lessons from Kenya and Zambia.
These resources aim to support governments and partners in advocating for increased investment in the SSW, ensuring better protection and well-being for children across the region.
